Abstract
This paper outlines the evolution of World Wide Web protocols. The paper reviews the original protocols developed for the web, in addressing, transport and data formats. A review of developments of the protocols is given, including developments of web data formats (HTML 4.0, cascading stylesheets and XML), transport (HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/NG) and addressing (URLs). The paper describes how the web initially lacked a metadata architecture and outlines the emergence of a metadata architecture for the web. The paper includes a review of web technologies which have a social impact on our society, including the Web Accessibility Initiative, the Digital Signature Initiative and the Platform for Privacy Preferences Project.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 71-81 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Documentation |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1999 |